Kilimanjaro Climb – 7 Days Machame Route
The Machame is a wilderness route which combines spectacular views and scenery, good acclimatization and which is quieter than the Marangu (tourist) route. For all these reasons it is perhaps the best of the standard routes on the mountain, and the one recommended for those wanting an uncomplicated but rewarding trek on Kili.
Book early to secure your place on the most popular route on Kilimanjaro! Our Machame Route 7 Days package is perfect for both seasoned adventurers and first-time high altitude climbers. It offers excellent acclimatisation, making for a high success rate.
Day 1: Hotel to Machame Gate to Machame Campsite
Elevation: 1200m to 1830 to 3050, Distance: 13km, Hiking Time: 5-7 hours, Habitat: Montana forest
After breakfast our vehicle will transport you from the hotel to Machame gate. Here you will do the required registration procedures then you will start the trek through the rainforest to Machame camp where you will find the tents are already setup for you. Dinner and overnight at the Machame campsite.
Day 2: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
Elevetion: 3050m to 3850m, Distance: 5km, Hiking Time: 4-6 hours, Habitat: Moorland
After breakfast leave the glades of rainforest and continue ascending by crossing little valleys and steep rocky ridge covering with heather plants to the western side of the mountain where the camp is situated. At this camp you will able get the spectacular views of Mount Meru, Shira Plateau, Kibo Peak and sunset. Then dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 3850m to 4000m, Distance: 13km, Hiking time: 5-7, Habitat: Moorland
This long and important acclimatization day, so you are required to take your breakfast earlier and start trekking east to a junction leading to Lava tower rock 4600m. Then after you would have to continue down to the Barranco camp. The camp location is in bottom valley of Barranco wall where you will stop for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Barranco Campsite to Karanga Campsite
Elevation: 4000m to 4035m, Distance: 6km, Hiking Time: 4-5 hours, Habitat: Moorland
Today is short day walk. In the morning you will start climbing Barranco wall and reach 4200m for acclimatization and continue crossing ridges and valleys to Karanga campsite for lunch. After lunch you will have a bit of rest and get acclimatization by trekking up the scree slopes towards the southern ice field. You will then return to the camp for supper and overnight.
On the 6 day itinerary, after lunch on day 4 the itinerary omits the afternoon acclimatization trek and continues to include the day 5 trek, with dinner and overnight at Barafu Camp.
Day 5: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation: 4035m to 4620m, Distance: 8km, Hiking Time: 3- 4 hours, Habitat: Alpine Desert
On this day, the trek up to the Barafu ridge campsite is tough because of altitude. Remember, it is a short distance and it will take a few hours but is a steeping route so it is always recommended to trek slowly to avoid fatigue. While crossing the alpine desert, there are chances that you may be haunting with the cold wind blowing from the ice of the Kibo peak. You will have an early dinner at 1700hrs then rest until midnight when you will attack the summit.
Day 6: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Campsite the Mweka Camp
Elevation: 4620m to 5895m to 3090, Distance: 5km up, 13km down, Time: 10- 12 hours: Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Wake at midnight to a light breakfast and then prepare for your summit ascent. The goal is to climb before dawn so that can reach Uhuru peak shortly before or after sunrise. The trail is a series of switchbacks up steep scree or possibly snow, and reaches stella point on the crater rim at 5861m between 4 and 5 am. This is the point where you can enjoy the best views of the fabled crater and its glaciers, which would take about an hour for you to reach the true summit of Kilimanjaro, the “Uhuru”. Here you will spend some times for taking photo’s but it will depend on how you feel. After you are summit activities done, you will descend bsck to the Barafu campsite, for lunch and rest, then you will collect your equipments and continue down through moorland and heath zone to Mweka campsite. Dinner and overnight at Mweka campsite.
Day 7: Mweka campsite to Mweka gate
Elevaton: 3090m to 1680m to 1200m, Distance: 10km down, Time 3-4 hours descent, Habitat: Forest
Today is your last day on the mountain. After breakfast you will descend down to Mweka park gate walking across Montana forest. This descent will take 3 -4 hours. Here at the gate you will sign out and get ready to board the vehicle ready for the transfer back to Moshi (about 30 minutes) at the hotel for your certificate presentation and a well deserved celebration.
The best time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro is during the dry seasons, which are from late June to October and from December to February. These months offer the most favorable weather conditions, with clear skies and minimal rainfall, making the climb safer and more enjoyable. The dry periods also provide better visibility, allowing trekkers to appreciate the stunning landscapes. However, it’s important to note that these months are also the busiest, so if you prefer fewer crowds, consider going during the shoulder seasons, such as late November or early May, when the weather is still manageable, but the mountain is less crowded.